Powell River

Transportation & Maps

Powell River is located approximately 145km/90mi northwest of Vancouver on the upper Sunshine Coast along the Coastal Circle Route.

Most visitors arrive in Powell River either via Highway 101 (running 15,020km/9,312mi south from nearby Lund to Castro, Chile as the world's longest highway) or by ferry from Vancouver Island.

Car Travel and Rentals

The easiest way to get to and around Powell River is by car. Driving up Highway 101 from Vancouver, it takes about five hours to get to Powell River from West Vancouver's Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal. That time includes the 40-minute crossing from Horseshoe Bay to the Langdale ferry terminal near Gibsons, and the 50-minute crossing from Earl's Cove near Egmont to Saltery Bay.

From there, it's a 31km/19mi drive to Powell River. Car rentals are available from several agencies, including one at the Powell River Airport. Powell River Taxi delivers taxi service throughout the city.

Buses and Public Transportation

For those wishing to arrive by bus, Sunshine Coast Connector offers scheduled service from Vancouver to Powell River. The trip takes about 6.5 hours. The buses are equipped wirh bike racks to accomodate cyclists. The Powell River Regional Transit System offers bus service within the city on the following routes: #1 Townsite/Wildwood, #2 Grief Point, #3 Upper Westview.

Ferry Travel

BC Ferries offers eight daily sailings between Saltery Bay and Earl's Cove on the lower Sunshine Coast (see Car Travel and Rentals). Travellers coming from the east coast of Vancouver Island can also take advantage of four daily sailings between Comox (the Little River ferry terminal) and Powell River (the Westview ferry terminal). The trip takes one hour and 20 minutes, and visitors arrive right in downtown Powell River.

Texada Island, the largest of the Gulf Islands, is a 35-minute ferry ride from the Westview terminal. Water taxi service is also available. Take a 15-minute ride from nearby Lund to the white beaches of Savary Island, or charter a water taxi to travel elsewhere on the Sunshine Coast.

Air Travel

Pacific Coastal Airlines has daily 30-minute flights between the South Terminal at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and Powell River. Coming from Alberta? WestJet offers direct daily service to Comox on Vancouver Island from both Calgary and Edmonton. From there, it's a short ferry trip to Powell River (see Ferry Travel).

KD Air offers direct flights to Texada Island from the South Terminal at Vancouver International Airport and from Qualicum Beach Airport on Vancouver Island. Oceanview Helicopters, based in Powell River, can fly visitors into hard-to-reach hiking and fishing hotspots.

To learn more about Powell River transportation, visit the Powell River Visitor Centre (#111-4871 Joyce Ave. at the Crossroads Village Shopping Centre).